Important Things Seniors Should Know About Washing Hands
Home Care: Senior Handwashing in Rockford, MI
December is National Handwashing Awareness Month and now is a great time for a refresher on when seniors should be washing hands and how to wash their hands effectively. According to doctors, washing hands is the best way for seniors and everyone else to avoid getting or spreading colds and the flu, Covid-19, and other illnesses. Practicing good hand washing hygiene is something everyone should be doing daily.
Home care can help seniors remember to wash their hands, and help them avoid illnesses this winter. A home care provider can make sure that seniors are doing everything they can to avoid catching a cold or the flu. And, a home care provider can help seniors with cleaning and sanitizing the home to keep it free from germs.
Everyone knows that they need to wash their hands after using their bathroom. But seniors may need a reminder to wash their hands after these activities:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
When seniors are at the doctor’s office, the beauty salon, the supermarket, or out running errands and they don’t have access to water to wash their hands they should use hand sanitizer often to prevent illness. It’s also a good idea for a home care provider who goes with your senior parent to carry some disinfecting wipes and wipe down shopping carts and other materials that can transfer germs.
How To Wash Hands Effectively
Doctors recommend that everyone wash their hands for at least 20 seconds using soap. The proper way to wash hands is:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.
If your senior parent follows these steps they will have a much better chance of avoiding illness this winter, and all year long.
Don’t Forget To Wash Your Hands Too
Anyone that is going to be around a senior this holiday season also should be washing their hands frequently, or sanitizing them if water isn’t available. Remember that your senior parent or senior relatives are very susceptible to colds and the flu. You can protect them by just making sure that you wash your hands often.
If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Rockford, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 560-4057 for more information.
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